(PO-203) Virtual Screening and Health Promotion for Patient Care and Student Awareness

Author: Sangeetha Chandrasekaran, B.D.S., M.S., M.S. – Associate Professor, University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine
Author: Jennipher Murphy, M.S.
Author: Thomas Greany, D.D.S. – Clinical Assistant Professor, Director of Academic Technology Initiatives, University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine
Author: Tamanna Tiwari, M.P.H., M.D.S., B.D.S. – Assistant Professor, Department of Community Dentistry & Population Health, DDS/MPH Program Director, University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine
Author: Denise Kassebaum, D.D.S., M.S. – Dean of Dental School, University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine
Author: Tracy L. de Peralta, Ph.D. – Sr Associate of Academic Affairs and Innovation, University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine
Submitter: Tracy L. de Peralta, Ph.D. – Sr Associate of Academic Affairs and Innovation, University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine

A framework for a virtual dental clinic has been developed at the University of Colorado, School of Dental Medicine (CUSDM) for the purpose of triaging potential dental patients, providing internal and remote consultation to patients and providing a virtual platform for oral health promotion. Student-engagement in this process provides essential training in facilitating tele visits and oral health promotion.

Objectives: The aims of this feasibility study were to measure: 1) perceived student awareness of using tele-dentistry in their future careers, and 2) implementation of a virtual periodontal clinic (VPC) for oral health promotion.

Methods: Perceived student-awareness was measured in a survey regarding the development of a virtual dental clinic at CUSDM. The survey was completed anonymously and was sent to all students in the final 2 years of a DDS program. The questions were in Likert scale format, rating student’s awareness and perceived ability to participate in tele-dentistry. Students were also asked to list awareness of benefits and barriers in tele-dentistry.

Results: Of the total number of 240 student asked, 19% responded to the survey. Overall, students saw more benefits (83.5%) than barriers (66.4%) to tele-dentistry. The data identified benefits as time-saving, immediate access to care, reaching patients in remote areas, and efficiency. Barriers identified included technology access for elder population, limited modalities, and internet reliability. Additional perceived value of tele-dentistry included an enhancement in ability to communicate and gather information (mean 3.87) and ability to express gratitude and empathy (mean 3.88). VPC was also set up in Axium to provide a digital platform for oral health promotion.

Conclutions: The majority of students in this survey expressed the belief that there is a benefit in using tele-dentistry for promotion of patient access to care in the future and felt it should be considered by CUSDM as a viable screening process.